Last Epoch: Nemesis system and drops, explained

Last Epoch's Nemesis is a new boss system implemented in the Harbingers of Ruin update. With the new 1.1 patch, Eleventh Hour Games has added a host of revamped and entirely new content to the game. The update also sees the introduction of cycle two, meaning all players must create new characters to engage with the content.

Last Epoch entered a competitive genre for a game to succeed in and has managed to find its place among Diablo and Path of Exile. Eleventh Hour Games has worked dilligently to communicate with players and update the game in positive ways since its early access release in 2019.

This article explains how the new Nemesis system works and what drops players can get from it.

---

Last Epoch Nemesis system: Everything players need to know

The nemesis systems seeks to introduce a mid tier boss (Image via Eleventh Hour Games)

The Nemesis system goes live with the introduction of Last Epoch's Harbingers of Ruin cycle on July 9, 2024. This new boss type, the Nemesis, is a challening enemy that comes with its own new loot system. Throughout Campaign and Monolith of Fate maps, players will have a chance to fight one of these new bosses.

The Nemesis is meant to be a halfway point between the difficulty of a regular enemy type and a pinnacle boss. Since new players may require a long time to become strong enough to fight pinnacle bosses, Eleventh Hour Games wanted to provide a challenge that they too can see during regular play.

Players do not have to fight the Nemsis and can choose to ignore it if they feel they are not strong enough to defeat them.

---

Nemesis drops, explained

An entirely new loot mechanic is added in patch 1.1 (Image via Eleventh Hour Games)

When the player interacts with a discovered Nemesis in Last Epoch, the loot they will drop if defeated will be shown.

The player will be shown three loot options newly added with the Harbingers of Ruin cycle update. Whichever is chosen will affect whether they fight or ignore the Nemesis and how good the drops will be if it is defeated.

Banish

If the player chooses to Banish the Nemesis enemy they encounter, the fight will be ignored.

If the character's build is not strong enough to defeat the Nemesis, this will be the option they will want to choose. When they have the correct gear and skill points allocated, they will be safer picking one of the other two options.

Challenge

When the player wishes to fight the Nemesis, they will choose the Challenge option. This option will initiate the boss fight, causing the Nemesis to attack the player.

If the player sucessfully defeats a challenged Nemesis, they will be rewarded with the loot shown to them before the fight.

Empower

If the Empower option is chosen, the Nemesis boss fight will begin exactly the same as the Challenge option, but with a twist.

Once the Nemesis has been defeated by the player, they will dissapear and be available to fight again later at a higher power level. The Nemesis will not drop loot for its first defeat when choosing Empower. However, when encountered and defeated a second time, it will drop enhanced loot.

Loot that is enhanced this way may receive better Affix Tiers, Forging Potential, or Legendary Potential. This loot is also capable of receiving upgrades that were not previously possible in Last Epoch, such as rank 6 and 7 sealed affixes.